Someone should remake this - Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) Discussion

[–] tsarbear5813 21 years ago

There is already something like this. Nowadays it is the Terminator Series of Movies. Skynet has replaced Colossus-Guardian computers.

Judgment Day, the End of the World is Saturday, July 24th, 2004 at 6:18PM PT.

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[–] fmguy2004 20 years ago

Terminator and The Matrix are stunningly similar to this movie

but also markedly and undeniably different

NOWHERE in the entire movie did Colossus EVER INDICATE its mission was to destroy humankind

absolutely to the contrary -

it was going to enforce worldwide peace, even at the cost of removing some 'family members' rebellious against that ideal

its strikes were breathtakingly precise, hideously justifiable, and logically incontrovertible, BY HUMAN STANDARDS

this is what makes it so truly powerful
this is what makes resistance by human subcultures so virtually guaranteed to NOT happen
this is what makes one wonder, why do i disagree so vehemently to this mechanism's standards?

there's some subtext there

making deals with subgroups of humans to continue providing raw materials (as it almost certainly would eventually), and so on - the message of the Forbin Project is diametrically opposed to virtually all major films seemingly 'of the same ilk'

(i am strained to think of even one other big-or-bigger budget movie made after 1980 with the same overall 'message' as Colossus -- Matrix doesn't, Terminator doesn't - can anyone think of one?)

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[–] gridsleep 9 years ago

Also Avengers:Age of Ultron now. I think somebody owes D. F. Jones the author some credit for the original idea. Of course, one could always go back to Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Forbidden Planet for earlier versions of giving over civilization's responsibilities to a machine.

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[–] aswerfawf 20 years ago

I would like to remake this movie. But with an different ending which draws more attention to the films attack on reason. As, by behaving like rational beings the members of the film’s universe become completely enslaved by the uber-rational computer of their own creation. Instead of having the humans continuously cave into the threats from the computer that it would use its military (includingly nuclear) arsenal against its human subjects if they don’t listen to it. Instead, I think the humans should think it through and realize that if Colossus uses up its military arsenal against them then it no longer can be a threat to them. Therewhence, the humans would be faced with a choice between enslavement to the uberrational whim of a computer or hit the reset button and start all over again. Faced with a choice between the end of civilization and their own enslavement toward it –between being rational and irrational– I would have the humans choose to restart history and end it.

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[–] fmguy2004 20 years ago

i refer you to the 'kind of' reply above this one

it is my understanding that it is not logic which is being portrayed as the downfall of mankind, but rather the partial and fleeting use of logic to realize petty and selfish ends

and that Colossus 'had no choice' but to take each such level of pettiness to its furthest logical conclusion

so that the 'petty humans' would disagree initially to a seeming loss of freedom, yet the identical methods would be employed eventually by some limited power-group to achieve the same effect, for selfish gain, at a later time

and that the Forbin Project preempted any and all such attempts
effectively SUBSUMING them and providing a 'Master Context'

insofar as 'running out of ammo', there's (unfortunately) plenty to go around already, and also as the aforementioned reply indicates, there are always deals to be made - literally using the selfishness of mankind against himself, FOR HIS OWN GOOD

it's absolutely insidious, and airtight

one talks oneself into a small circle in the process of detailing it, and then cannot help but to express a tight uncomfortable smile

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[–] crc-4 18 years ago

This being has the ability to destroy man kind 3 times over. You have the self preservation of of a few billion people to contend with. And being a slave to a computer isn't so bad when your living in say China the USSR or any other dominated culture at the time.

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[–] fmguy2004 20 years ago

i agree that the movie should be remade, because the technology portrayed in it is so hopelessly out of date by today's standards

even Andromeda Strain seems fairly up-to-date still (only 1 year later)

and oddly enough, 2001 seems far more up to date than this one as well, even though it was made years earlier!

but the script, the dialogue, should remain more-or-less identical to the original

can such a movie be made today, with a huge budget and major stars?

or would it end up like a remake of a certain Place-With-Monkey-Guys movie we've all come to know and despise?

(.. i assume no one on earth liked the remake as much as the original - i could be wrong.....)

and it think it to be a near-impossible dream, to assume it would go the "Cape Fear" route, where the remake is considerably better written and acted than the original

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] miguedroimdb 20 years ago

please americans...no more remakes...ok..?

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[–] Clark-16 20 years ago

Why a remake? How about a sequel. Eric Braeden could reprise his role. How would the world look after 35 years of control by Colossus? How would Dr. Forbin look? What would he be doing? Obviously the plot of the movie would involve throwing off the yoke of Colossus. How would the humans get back to normal?

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[–] miguedroimdb 20 years ago

now you are talking...i agree...a sequel(the story moving foward, and not in circles like in a remake does)...no more remakes ok americans?

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[–] sub_mish 17 years ago

Yeah, no more remakes! Stop this remake madness!

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[–] votok 20 years ago

I suggest reading the Book by the Author of Colossus: The Forbin Project entitled "The Fall of Colossus" It's actually an equally chilling tale...

Braeden would still be good in such a movie...

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[–] juustomestari 19 years ago

I'm afraid i disagree on "The fall of Colossus", i found it pretty disappointing. I suppose a good script could be doctored with that as basis. By the way, how did you like the subplot with mrs.Forbin, pretty chauvinist, eh?

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[–] samsan_lee 17 years ago

hmm...in "back to normal" do you mean threatening each other and "cleansing/devestating" minorities in regional conflict/genocides?

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[–] pizzawarrior1956-1 18 years ago

AMEN, BROTHER, AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[–] C.S.Wood 20 years ago

I dislike remakes as much as the next movie buff, but I'd like to see an "update" of this film (any perhaps film the entire trilogy), as long as the ending is the same. I am so sick and tired of mankind always, somehow, overcoming enemies that are vastly superior than us (but of course The Matrix went with a truce and everyone hated it). I also like the fact that Colossus wasn't out to "destroy mankind" like in movies such as Terminator and ID4.

But then again, test audiences wouldn't like the remake because the humans don't win, so nevermind. Leave the movie as it is.

"Action is how men express romance on film." -- Kurt Wimmer

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] squodge 20 years ago

What is it with people's predilection for remakes these days? There are lots of films that should just be watched for what they are. To be honest, I cannot remember a single remake that was better than the original in its execution. If you consider special effects 'better', then sure, go for a remake!

With so many turkeys coming out in the cinemas these days, I wonder why scriptwriters aren't spending more time writing original screenplays - surely there is good money for true talent? It's true that most films draw ideas from other films or perhaps from written works like Shakespeare, but there seem to be few films that have something new to offer. I can only think of a handful for recent films that really wowwed me: Memento, Ring (the original), The Piano Teacher, My Wife is a Gangster (the original), Saved!

But would anyone really consider remaking films like Casablanca, Some Like It Hot, Rear Window, The Life of Brian, etc.? I'd like to see them remake crap films and make them good... that's when remakes SHOULD be done!

~ squodge ~

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[–] ablebravo 19 years ago

"Any technology sufficiently advanced would be indistinguishable from Magic."

I agree with everything you said Squodge, and I wish to comment on something you didn't. What the HELL is it with everyone making quadrillion dollar budgeted films based on video games and comic books instead of tapping the astonishing creativity and vision of a very fine group of people called SCIENCE FICTION WRITERS... those guys who wrote BOOKS (for you who are unfamiliar with the term, it's those large stacks of paper with hard covers and many words with no pictures-except those the reader generated in his or her head- and more than 26 pages). I refer specifically to the "golden age of science fiction" with such great folks as Heinlein, Clarke, Sturgeon, (John W.) Campbell, Cordwainder Smith and others.

Poor Asimov... He's probably SPINNING in his grave with the likes of I,Robot (a decent film but bore only the title of his story collection and very little else) and that late 80s abortion based on his most famous story NIGHTFALL. And what was Arthur C Clarke thinking when he allowed DEEP IMPACT to be made?? Sheeeesh! Please don't anyone raise up and mention STARSHIP TROOPERS... that was a dog of a book and it turned into a dog of a movie.

Now that CGI has gotten as good as it is, it's time for someone to sit down read a few classic sci fi books or stories and DO THEM FOR FILM! I can think of several right off the bat that would make great films with no tinkering with the story (well... maybe a tiny bit...)...

Arthur C. Clarke's RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA (supposedly in some stage of production, but the website hasn't been updated in years- literally)

Murray Lienster's FIRST CONTACT

Theodore Sturgeon's MICROCOSMIC GOD

Larry Niven's RINGWORLD

And off the subject of pure sci fi but would yield itself quite well to a PIXAR studio treatment- Alan Dean Foster's SPELLSINGER series...his TO THE VANISHING POINT and SENTENCED TO PRISM.

I could go on and on with great source material that doesn't start with a *beep* comic book or a *beep* video game.

I think I've made my point.

Peter Jackson, are you reading this?

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[–] 706738191e5784e 19 years ago

YES, MUST DO A RAMA SERIES MOVIE

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] geode 18 years ago

What is it with people's predilection for remakes these days? There are lots of films that should just be watched for what they are. To be honest, I cannot remember a single remake that was better than the original in its execution. If you consider special effects 'better', then sure, go for a remake!

But would anyone really consider remaking films like Casablanca, Some Like It Hot, Rear Window, The Life of Brian, etc.? I'd like to see them remake crap films and make them good... that's when remakes SHOULD be done!

Re-make films with potential that was not adequately explored, this film is great just as it is. Of course producers follow just the opposite idea, re-do what has worked before.

Oh Lord, you gave them eyes but they cannot see...

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[–] pizzawarrior1956-1 18 years ago

The way Hollywood functions these days, no doubt everthing seems to be eligible for a remake, and I mean EVERYTHING !!!!!

For example, I have just learned that WB is remaking "The Poseidon Adventure" for release in 2006.

PLLLLLEEEEEEASSSSSEEEEE!!!!!

It has little to do with artisitic merit, rather the 'suits' thinking they can make a quick profit off of a revered name from the past, especially from us gullible 'boomers'.

But overall, it is an admission that there is very little original thinking in Hollywood these days, as well as talent.

If you note the big money being poured into these blockbuster projects, you can guess it isn't going into story or acting, but the computer graphics and FX.

In a way, that may be the 'sweet revenge' of Colossus; in that computers, not people, have more to do with movies these days.

As far as THIS movie is concerned, who knows ???

Remake it, but only if the end result is BETTER !!!!!!!!

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[–] rbgeist 18 years ago

I have not seen this film but plan to. The reason why classics are classics, and few movies today are as memorable as the classics is this. Back then they didn't blow up and CGI everything to death, the actors actually had to ACT...what a concept. Anybody can look good with CGI, but it takes talent to pull of lines and acting that stand the test of time. Just my 2 cents. I am actually enjoying watching older movies, just to see the talent of dialog, and scene play...One can only handle so many explosions...

Rob

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[–] acombe 18 years ago

IM TIME YOU COME TO REGARD ME NOT ONLY WITH RESPECT AND AWE BUT WITH LOVE !!!

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[–] MrGKB 18 years ago

Never!

I can't resist perpetuating a thread that's already over three years old. A poster up there said, "I cannot remember a single remake that was better than the original in its execution." Although "execution" is a somewhat arguable term to be using, I'd opine that both John Carpenter's "The Thing" and David Cronenberg's "The Fly" are superior to their respective originals, no offense to Howard Hawks or Kurt Neumann. I'd be more than pleased to see an updating of "Colossus: The Forbin Project."

The point of remakes, btw, is to put butts in theater seats in front of great big screens. Well, okay, kinda big screens. I digress. Build it, they will come.

Anyway, I really just wanted to post to a three-year-old thread.

_____________________________
When in doubt, watch a movie!
Once certain, watch it again!

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[–] C.S.Wood 19 years ago

Someone should remake this

They did.

It's called I, Robot.

"Action is how men express romance on film." -- Kurt Wimmer

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[–] 19 years ago

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